if you're in the dallas fort worth metroplex, there's an official blood drive at reunion arena.posted by centrs at 9:53 AM on September 11, 2001

There's already a three hour wait at the blood and tissue center in Austin. The line is out the door.posted by ColdChef at 10:01 AM on September 11, 2001

will it help to donate if you're not in the NY/NJ or DC area? i'd be happy to go in SF but will it get there?posted by megnut at 10:12 AM on September 11, 2001

I'm in New York and I'd be happy to donate, but from what I understand, they don't take foreigners' blood.posted by muckster at 10:13 AM on September 11, 2001

On Minnesota Public Radio, they told us not to go down to the hospital because as of now they don't have a way of getting to NY. But they did say to call and make an appointment to come in later in the week.posted by emoeby at 10:14 AM on September 11, 2001

megnut et al,

It's unlikely IMO that blood donated elsewhere will help those in need back east, but it drives home the point that a disaster can happen anywhere, anytime, and that blood supplies can always use more.posted by msacheson at 10:15 AM on September 11, 2001

And everyone should remember that this may not be over; donating blood anywhere may help there if whoever is responsible for these atrocities decides to continue.posted by delfuego at 10:16 AM on September 11, 2001

PHX is having one also. Let me say this. I know here there is a lot of of negativeness to president Bush, but this is not the time for it. It is the time for all of us to support our government, military and neighbors.posted by crackheadmatt at 10:19 AM on September 11, 2001

mainly it's just something constructive you can do. a little ray of light, maybe.

if you have lines out the door where you live, go tomorrow or the next day.posted by rebeccablood at 10:21 AM on September 11, 2001

All blood centers can collect and process blood supplies. Blood units of packed cells are good for 21 days, fresh frozen plasma even longer, platlets are the most unstable, but are good for aleast 24 hours after being pooled. Where ever you are, if you can, donate.posted by bjgeiger at 10:24 AM on September 11, 2001

Just came from the main blood center in NY, Bellevue, and what they say about tragedies bringing out the best in people is still true. I waited an hour among thousands waiting to donate and eventually left because those who aren't a or o will have to wait hours to donate. Figure I'll go back tonight or in the morningposted by wsfinkel at 10:25 AM on September 11, 2001

Just to save people the wait in line, you can't give blood if

- You've Used Intravenous Drugs
- Are a Man and have had sex with a man since 1977
- If you have had myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass.
- You have multiple sclerosis
- You're a Hemophiliacs
- You've had a stroke
- You've had sex for money or drugs since 1977

And, of course, if you have the standard litany of infectious blood diseases. (HIV, Hepatitis etc.) I've never seen any prohibitions on immigrants giving blood, but I can't say for sure.

I imagine relief organizations are going to be needing the standard food, blankets etc. as well, so if you can't/won't give blood you might try a more material donation.posted by alan at 10:35 AM on September 11, 2001

From the American Red Cross Web Site "80,000 blood donations in the American Red Cross blood inventory are ready to ship to affected areas and will ensure that patients' lives are saved. Donors who wish to give blood in the coming days to replenish the nation's blood supply are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment."posted by katexmcfly at 10:56 AM on September 11, 2001

Also note that they're screening people who've spent significant amounts of time in Europe and especially Britain. They've tightened the rules twice so I can't say what they are right now.

I think giving blood anywhere will be useful. It won't necessarily go to the disaster sites, but it will relieve your local area from needing to ship blood in from anywhere else and allow the disaster areas to use all blood collected locally.posted by dhartung at 11:00 AM on September 11, 2001

You might want to check with your blood bank before going to donate if you've done any travel overseas, especially in malaria areas. I was told I have 4 more months before I can donate due to a trip to Thailand....posted by daver at 11:16 AM on September 11, 2001

Please, check with the blood donation center before leaving. Centers in Atlanta are overwhelmed with eight hour lines. They are asking people to come in later in week. They will need blood regardless of where you are, it all flows to where it is needed.posted by mischief at 11:50 AM on September 11, 2001

I've been past St. Vincent's and there are hundreds of people in line there — I agree with wsfinkel, the immediate need may be met here but over the next few days more blood will be needed, so go tomorrow.

But, there is a lot of random good that can be done out there. It's going to be a weird night, and any little favor you can do for anyone in the city today will be a good example as well. Keep your cool, and show it: the only possible victory against terrorists is to refuse to be terrified.

And let's all hope the city's Palestinian and Arab populations find some safe harbor.posted by nicwolff at 12:11 PM on September 11, 2001

I can't get through right now, but the blood donation web page for New England is http://www.newenglandblood.org/posted by ssmith at 12:27 PM on September 11, 2001

I'm going to post this on the home page, but Canadians should call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to set up an appointment to give blood.posted by theNonsuch at 12:44 PM on September 11, 2001

and it's useful for canadians to donate, because we do sell/exchange/give blood to our american neighbours on occasion when it is needed, and we certainly do ship it within the country and we will be recieving trauma victims from new york and washington in toronto & area hospitals over the coming days. it certainly can't HURT the situation.posted by raedyn at 1:05 PM on September 11, 2001

I went to Beth Israel around 2 pm to donate, and they weren't accepting any more blood. Neither was St Vincent's, by that time. However, NYU hospital MAY be taking donations, and the central NY Blood Bank (on 67th St and 1st Ave) should be taking any and all comers.

As others have said, it will be equally crucial to maintain blood supplies over the next few days, so try again tomorrow.

After everything else, it's heartening to see New Yorkers flooding the hospitals & streets to help in the only way they can.posted by Pyth at 1:20 PM on September 11, 2001

Even if your donations won't go directly to NYC, a demand for blood on such a massive scale will have effects all across the nation, if not the world. As NYC draws on blood banks throughout its region, the medical facilities those banks normally serve will have to draw on resources even further out, and so on.posted by harmful at 1:29 PM on September 11, 2001

There will be burn victims who will need plasma all during recovery. Don't give up. Tomorrow or even next week will help.posted by bjgeiger at 1:54 PM on September 11, 2001

Two other handy numbers in this case: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE and 1-888-BLOOD88posted by FunkyHelix at 1:56 PM on September 11, 2001

NBC says there's a temporary hospital set up over at Chelsea Piers, and since I'm just a few blocks from there I'm going to go over and see if they need and can take blood there. I'll report back...posted by nicwolff at 2:01 PM on September 11, 2001

For what it's worth, I've been told by friends who went to the Blood Bank that they're accepting ONLY O- right now. YMMV, and I certainly recommend that people with other types go tomorrow. But for now, if nothing else, if you DO have O-, get to a hospital quickly.posted by Sinner at 2:05 PM on September 11, 2001

I went to give blood on Masonic at the Blood Center of the Pacific [San Fran] and there was a two hour wait. The guy working there said "feel free to come back tomorrow, or donate elsewhere, all the blood will be going to the same place..."posted by jessamyn at 2:50 PM on September 11, 2001

I gave a pint of my O- this morning here in San Diego. There are several questions now which are clearly aimed at dealing with BSE; that was new.

Blood travels well and is small for its medical value. There will be no difficulty getting it to NYC if need be; the current grounding of jets applies to commercial flights but I have no doubt whatever that any emergency flights would be approved immediately. Also, a very good supply of blood could be carried on a Lear Jet; it wouldn't need to be anything big. Further, it might go by military courier; they've done that in the past.posted by Steven Den Beste at 6:04 PM on September 11, 2001

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